Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-10-11
cold SHORT"
His Observations In the Last Issue OF the
MAge of Steel"

His Observations In the Last Issue of the
"Age of Steel"
"Cold Short" Mr.. Philip Henry Moore,
in speaking Of furnacemen in his ohserva-
tions in the current issue of the Age OF
Steel, among other things, says the furnace
men claim that no time within the past six
months have prices remunerated them, and
goes on to tell why this state of things ex-
lists. In speaking of the fact that the fur
nacemen are being imposed upon by the
coke producers, he says:
'The position assumed by the coke pro-
ducers towards the turnacemen on this
question brings to mind the reply made
on q certain memorable occasion-"what
are you going TO do about il, " and so far the
turnacemen have had to grin aud pay it.
As long as the Connellsyille coke is rated
as the only coke so far developed that pos
sesses the positive requirements for sue
cessful ore smelling, its producers will
practically have a monopoly, and can fix
their own prices. Whether it occupies
this isolated position of excellence is more
than doubtful. 1t is certainly open
tor discussion. / have on more
than one occasion suggested, that
amongst West Virginia's almost in
calculably valuable mineral resources,
deposits of coal are known to exist
that will produce coke equal to any known.
Some of these have been developed, and
some not all conclusive or critical tests have
l.- .,aIo - a-I ,.tth than, Nhara oo
many, such large and heavy interests are
concerned, it is more than singular that so
little solicitude has been manifested III oh.
tanning relief. The time will come when
one 100 acre block of what is now termed
West Virginia wild land will he worth
more than a square mile Of most of the
lately exploited Western and Southern
barrens, and these very now dcrided and
neglected coal and ore deposits will endow
these acres with that value. Empires,
quasi experts and partisans of Connellsville
coke have pronounced against West Nir-
GINA coking coal, and the dictum of these
bOtchers has been accepted rs authorita-
tive. ] have yet to see or hear Of a report
ON this question from the investigation
and analysis of al expert of established
reputation. Meantime, no great measure
of sympathy is due these upper Ohio Val.
ley furnacemen, especially those in the
Wheeling district.
~ have been expatiating largely on the
advantages and resources of the city of
Wheeling and State of West Virginia, and
of course / am amenable to criticism. ]
expect but don't hunger for 1t, and | most
decidedly object to having the spirit and
meaning Of observations perverted and dis
torted. Wheeling does need additional
railway facilities TO move her manufac-
tured products, unless she desires to keep
in the cid ruts. II might have a galyan-
izing effect to quote a remark of Powder
ly's in his late address at Minneapolis that
nothing ever is still but a corpse" for
the benefit Of the non-progresaists who, i
apprehend, with cold-blooded policy regard
subscriptions to Improvement as proleta-
rian if not sOcialistic raids on the lndivid-
ual bank account.
Nails are not improving. | send with
this letter a prOnunciamento from the nail
men to the trade. In connection with that
| beg leave TO suggest to the nail men that
if any respectable percentage of the ele-
ments which, when combined, constitute
that mighty commercial factor-demand-
insist on having wire nails, would it not
be sound policy to either make wire nails
for them or to give them a substitute
which, while retaining the form Of the steel
nail, would possess some of the popular
characteristics of the wire nail. /, with
a good many Others, adhere TO the notion
that a plan | suggested a few weeks ago
might win-that is, to cut l0d
nails put Of sd plate, I'D out Of
Sd, etc. This would get around the differ
erce in number to the pound argument and
furnish a better nail for the specific uses to
which each size is applicable. They are
heavier than necessary as nov made.
That the steel nail ruptures the wood
much more than the wire nail is not q re-
liable argument; but if this is o~bstiDately
assumed, give the steel nails a square point,
then they will pierce and crowd back the
fiber just as the partisans Of the wire nail
claim that it does"